woodling



March 3, 1964 cs. v. WOODLING 3,123,812

MOISTURE RESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed April 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INDICIA 2 I ZSQDM'G LII/,9 Fig.2 Fig.3

INVENTOR. GEORGE 1/. WOODL/NG March 3, 1964 s. v. WOODLING MOISTURE RESPONSIVE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9, 1958 l...l u

INVENT OR.

GEORGE V. WOODL/NG P19. 9 B

United States Patent Filed Apr. 9, I958, Ser. No. 727,490 1 Claim. (Cl. 340-235) This invention relates to moisture responsive devices and more particularly to moisture responsive devices employing a circuitry which is responsive to moisture.

An object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device that will measure moisture and changes of moisture of the surrounding air instantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device with a printed circuitry that is responsive to moisture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device with a current responsive member to indicate the amount of moisture in the surrounding air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device with a surface disposed for indicia.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device with a moisture responsive coating provided on the circuitry to permit current to be conducted to a current responsive member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture responsive device with a circuitry comprising grids with interlacing, spaced lines with nou -conducting spaces therebetween on which moisture contacting the spaced area completes the circuit.

A further object of my invention is to provide for an electrical connection between the current responsive member and the printed circuitry embodied on the moisture responsive device.

And still another object of my invention is to provide for an electrical connection between the moisture responsive device and an outside source of voltage.

Another object of my invention is to provide for an electrical connection between the prongs of an appliance plug and a current conducting film used for the printed circuitry embodied in the moisture responsive device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a moisture responsive device that is compact, non-breakable, deco-rative and colorful.

Another object of my invention is to provide a moisture responsive device that will not cease to function over a period of time.

Another object of my invention is to provide a material embodied in the construction of the moisture responsive device that will permit the moisture responsive coating to migrate into the material so that it cannot be readily removed and therefore lengthen the life of the moisture responsive device indefiniely.

Another object of my invention is to provide a moisture responsive circuitry comprising two portions with a gaseous bulb connected in series between the two portions thereby eliminating the necessity of a current limiting resistor.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claim, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 of the drawings shows the moisture responsive device receiving a source of current from a standard wall socket employed in homes and offices;

FIGURE 2 of the drawings shows a front view of the moisture responsive device;

FIGURE 3 of the drawings shows a side view of the moisture responsive device;

FIGURE 4 of the drawings is a schematic view of the moisture responsive circuit embodied in the moisture responsive device;

3,123,812 Patented Mar. 3, 1964 FIGURE 5 of the drawings shows a back plate employed in the moisture responsive device with the moisture responsive circuit printed thereon;

FIGURE 6 of the drawings is a section view along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and shows the back plate, the current conducting film and the moisture responsive coat ing thereon;

FIGURE 7 of the drawings is a section view along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2 and shows the method of supplying a current to the moisture responsive device;

FIGURE 8 of the drawings shows a top plate employed in the moisture responsive device and the surface which is disposed for indicia;

FIGURE 9 of the drawings is a section view along the line 99 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 of the drawings shows a method of connecting a current responsive device or light bulb to the current conducting film;

FIGURE 11 shows the type of rivet employed as the connection device as shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 of the drawings is a modification of FIG- URE 7 in which the prongs that engage the wall socket are fastened directly to the moisture responsive device as a fixed part of the device.

FIGURE 13 of the drawings is a modification of FIG- URE 9 showing a plastic protective tube around the current responsive device.

FIGURE 14 of the drawings is a modification of FIG- URE 10 showing the cavity for holding the rivet in the back plate.

With specific reference to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the moisture responsive device is designated by the reference character Ill. The moisture responsive device 10 or moisture indicator, as the device may be hereinafter termed, is shown in direct relation with a wall outlet socket 16. The circuitry is such that the moisture indicator It) is designed to operate from a source of standard voltage supplied to the home or oflice. The moisture indicator 10 therefore is constructed to receive a standard plug 14 which engages a standard wall outlet socket 16. It is understood that any other source of power may be used to supply current to the moisture indicator device It) by adopting the circuitry as such. The cord plug 14 may connect to any electric appliance used in the home or office which operates from the standard voltage supplied to the outlet plug. Therefore the moisture indicator It may be employed into the home or ofiice without detracting from the primary purpose of the wall socket 16.

Because of the circuitry employed in the moisture indicator It which will be discussed hereinafter, moisture and changes in the moisture of the surrounding air are measured or indicated instantaneously.

The moisture indicator 1G shown in FIGURES 1 through 14 comprises a back plate 11, and a top plate 12. The back plate 11 is preferably extruded non-current conducting cellulose butyrate and die cut to the desired shape. The back plate 11 may be of any desired color and is usually opaque to give it decorative beauty. It is understood that many types of plastics, or any other suitable material such as glass, wood, or paper may be used. The plastic material may be either thermoplastic or thermosetting. The top plate 12 is also extruded noncurrent conducting cellulose butyrate and vacuum formed and die out to the desired shape. The top plate 12 may be of any desired color and preferably is opaque to give it decorative beauty. It is understood that the top plate 1.2 may be of the same material as the back plate '11.

The back plate 11 has printed on one side thereof a current conducting film 26. The current conducting film 26 is preferably a silver or other metal conducting paint which is printed on one side of the back plate 11 by the use of silk screening. It is understood that any desirable current conducting film 26 may be used. It is also understood that any other means may be used besides silk screening to print the current conducting film 26.

The circuitryon the back plate 11 as shown in FIG- URES 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings comprises two grids that are connected in series with a substantially circular gaseous bulb 13 therebetween. In FIGURE 6, the back plate 11, the conducting film 26 and the moisture responsive coating 2'7 are shown greatly enlarged. In actual practice, the conducting film 26 and moisture responsive coating 27 are very thin layers and would not be observed in a section view. It is understood that any number of grids may be employed in the circuit and will not detract from the usefulness of the circuit. The two grids 26 comprise evenly spaced interlacing lines 43 with a portion of spaced area 46 of the back plate 11 therebetween. The

two grids 29 are supplied with current by means of con ductors 22 which are connected to oppositely disposed inward facing tabs 19 which receive a current from an outside source. Extending from the base of the gaseous bulb 13 are two wires 36 which engage the conductive connection portions 21 respectively extending from the grid 29. The gaseous bulb 13 comprises two current conducting electrodes 48 that extend approximately twothirds the distance of the length of the bulb 13. The bulb 13 is filled with neon gas and the glass containing the gas therein is of a transparent nature so that the electrodes 48 may be observed. When current is supplied to the electrodes 43, the neon gas is ignited and produces an orangish glow. A dim glow first is observed around the electrodes 48 and extends radially away from the electrodes 43 and becomes brighter as the current is increased. It is understood that any other type of bulb may be used which should be of the low wattage type. It is understood that the lines 43 may be of any desired shape and may have any desired spacing therebetween. Since the lines 43 do not touch, a complete circuit is not set up and no current can be conducted through the gaseous bulb 13, in the absence of moisture. The connection of the bulb 13 in series between the two grids 26 eliminate the necessity of a current limiting resistor in order to protect the bulb 13.

With specific reference to FIGURES 5 and 7 of the drawings, I show how a commercial source of power is provided to the moisture indicator It In FIGURE 7, the back plate 11, and the conducting film are shown greatly enlarged so that the parts may be more easily observed. As shown in FIGURE 5, connected to the two conducting portions 22 are two rectangular areas 42, respectively, which are printed on the one side of the back plate 11 with the current conducting film 26. Punched into these two rectangular areas 42 by means of a die punch are two rectangular openings 13, respectively. The openings 18 are substantially the same size and shape to receive the prongs 15 of the plug 14. The openings 13 are punched in a direction from the current conducting portion of the back plate 11 to the rear of the back plate 11. This process mentioned hereinabove forms two sets of oppositely disposed, inward facing, substantially V- shaped tabs 19. The oppositely disposed tabs 19 are spaced closer together than the width of the prong 15' of the plug 14. Thus when the prong 15 is inserted into the opening 13, the sides of the prong 15 engage the current conducting film 26 on the tabs 19 and forces the tabs 19 apart. This springing or resilient action of the tabs 19 causes them to lay against the side of the prong 15. Thus even though the prong 15 of the plug 14 is inserted in and pulled out of the opening 18 many times, the tabs 19 never break and always retain their resilient properties and will always engage or lay against the sides of the prong 15 of the plug 14' This always insures a good connection between the prong 15 and the current conductingfilm 26 which is necessary in the unlimited operation of the moisture indicator 1t).

With specific reference to FIGURE 12 of the drawings,

1 show a modification of the method employed in FlG- URE 7 of the drawings and described hereinabove. In the modifications shown in FIGURE 12, the current conducting prong 15 is fastened to the back plate member 11 by means of pressure from the top plate 12. Thus there is no appliance plug 14 needed and this type of current connection can be advantageously used over the other method when there are no appliance plugs handy to the user.

With specific reference to FIGURES 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 of the drawings, 1 show a method of connecting the wires 36 of the bulb 13 to the current conducting film 26. It is understood that any other means may be used to connect the wire 36 of the bulb 13 t0 the current conducting film 26. Mounted in a cavity 23 which is vacuum formed in the top plate 12 is a current conducting rivet 33. It is understood that any current conducting connection device may be used to connect the wire 36 to the current conducting fil'n 26. The rivet 33 as shown in FIGURE 11 comprises a head 34 and a split leg stem 35. The head 34 has a top portion 48 and an underside portion 41. The split leg stem 35 forms an opening 39 therebetween. Inserted into the opening 39 and engaging the underside portion 41 of the head 34 of the rivet 33 is the wire 36 of the bulb 13. The split leg stem 35 0f the rivet 33 is then inserted into the cavity opening 38 and held therein by pressure exerted from the walls of the cavity 28. The top portion 4t) of the head 34, when the top plate 12 is fastened to the bottom plate 11, engages the current conducting film 26 and is held there by pressure from the top plate 12.

As hereinabove mentioned, the grids 2% have interlacing spaced lines 43 which prevent a complete series circuit. If moisture falls on the lines 43 and the spaces 46 therebetween, the ions; namely, hydrogen and oxygen, would be sufiicient to conduct current across the spaces between the lines 43 and complete the series circuit, thus permitting current to flow through the gaseous bulb 13. But the moisture, as it makes contact with the spaces 46 between the lines 43 of the grid 21?, balls-up into a head or ball which is caused by a distinctive property of cellulose butyrate and also of the other thermosetting and thermoplastic plastics. Thus, no matter how high the relative humidity in the air surrounding the grid 29 is, current which may be conducted across the spaced area 46 between the lines 43 of the grid 2% is not a dependable measure of the moisture. Therefore, it is desirable to cause the moisture, when it makes contact with this spaced area 46 between the lines 43 to form a smooth layer over the spaced areas 46 and not to ball-up. Therefore a moisture responsive coating 27 is silk screened over the lines 43 and the spaces 46 therebetween. It is understood that any method may be used to disperse the moisture responsive coating 27 over the grid 20. The moisture responsive coating 27 comprises a material consisting of ion hydrolyte agents and sulphonated fatty agents. The ion hydrolyte agents may be of the anion type of the cation type. The sulphonated fatty agents may be sulphonated fatty alcohols or sulphonated fatty acids. The moisture responsive coating 27 presently employed is a film of powdered detergent. I find that a product sold under the trademark FAB is satisfactory as the detergent mentioned herein. The detergent as hereinabove described comprises essentially sodium silicate, sodium sulfate, trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate and sodium salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate. The active ingredient of the detergent is sodium salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate. The detergent is originally in a powder form which, when mixed with water, turns to a pasty mass. This pasty mass can thus be silk screened onto .the grid 2%). When left standing for a time, the water which was mixed into the detergent I in contact with the spaced cellulose butyrate areas 46 between the lines 43. Thus the ions will now conduct across the spaced areas and permit current to flow through the bulb 13.

Since the bulb 13 used in the moisture indicator is gaseous, different amounts of current will change the brightness of the bulb 13. By supplying a greater current, the bulb will shine brighter and vice-versa. The circuitry and the moisture responsive coating 27 are such in the moisture indicator 10 that different amounts of moisture in the surrounding air will determine the brightness of the bulb 13. In the present moisture indicator device 10, the circuitry and the moisture responsive coating are in perfect balance with each other so that current will be conducted across the spaced areas 46 at about 40 percent relative humidity of the surrounding air. At 40 percent or ideal humidity, the gaseous bulb 13 just barely glows. When the moisture is at 70 percent or near the saturation point, the gaseous bulb 13 glows very brightly and serves as an indication of rain in the near future. When the bulb 13 does not glow, the humidity may be anywhere in the range of zero percent to 35 percent, which is too dry and uncomfortable. It is understood that the bulb 13 may be made to glow at any desired humidity by changing the spacing between the lines 4-3 and the amount of moisture responsive coating 27 provided on the grid 20. By spacing the lines 43 farther apart, for example, more moisture would be needed to conduct current across the spaces between the lines 43. By providing more moisture responsive coating 27 on the grid 2t), for example, less moisture would be needed to conduct current across the spaces 46 between the lines 43.

Here it is desirable to mention another favorable property of cellulose butyrate and of many other plastics. The molecular structure of the cellulose butyrate is such that the molecules of the detergent are permitted to migrate into the plastic itself, thus if the detergent is washed off or removed by another means, a thin coating of the detergent will still be ingrained in the cellulose butyrate. Thus the longer the detergent is left on the cellulose butyrate, the more will migrate into the cellu lose butyrate. Therefore, the moisture responsive device 10 never loses its moisture measuring properties.

With specific reference to FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings, I show the top plate 12 which is embodied in the invention. As hereinabove described, the top plate is preferably extruded cellulose butyrate. Cellulose butyrate is used primarily because of its vacuum forming properties and also because it has other desirous properties which are required in the operation of the moisture indicator 10. Vacuum formed in the top plate is a housing member 29 which is substantially rectangular and has a substantially circular opening 30 in the base thereof. The substantially circular opening 30 is primarily to receive the top of the bulb 13 and to retain it therein. Also vacuum formed in the top plate is a substantially rectangular box member or bulge 23 which has a flat top surface 44 disposed for indicia. On the top edge surface 45 of the bulge 23 is punched a substantially circular opening 31. The opening 31 is primarily to receive the base of the bulb 13 and to retain it therein. The substantially circular bulb 13 is mounted in the proper position by inserting it into opening 31 of the top edge surface 45 and pushed therethrough until the top of the bulb 13 makes firm contact with the opening 30 of the housing member 29. The base of the bulb 13 has two substantially flat portions thereon which catch against the sides of the substantially circular opening 31 to prevent the bulb 13 from disengaging the openings 30 and 31. The lighting portion of the bulb 13 is left uncovered so that when the bulb is lit it can be seen easily from any angle observed.

As shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings, a substantially circular, hollow, transparent plastic tube 47 may be employed to protect the bulb 13. The primary purpose of the tube 47 is to absorb shock if the moisture respon- 6 sive device 10 is dropped so that the glass covering of the bulb 13 will not crack or the bulb 13 itself will not explode as gas bulbs often do.

Punched into the edge surface 45 are substantially circular openings 32 which allow the passage of the surrounding air to migrate into the moisture responsive device 10 enabling the moisture of the surrounding air to make contact with the grid 20. Also punched in the top plate 12 are two openings 24 which correspond to the openings 18 in the back plate 11. The openings 24 are substantially circular and permit the prongs 15 of the plug 14 to extend through the top plate 12 and engage the tabs 19 of the back plate 11. The top plate 12 is fastened to the back plate 11 by flange members 37 which fit around the out side edges of the back plate 11. The flange members 37 are held in the desired position by adhesive means which bind the two plastic members together.

The moisture responsive device 10 as hereinabove mentioned and as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings is commonly used in direct relation with a wall socket 16. After the device is plugged in the wall socket 16 by the means of the plug 14, the user may test the moisture responsive device 10 in the following manner. If the bulb 13 does not light after the device is plugged in, the user knows the surrounding air of the room is too dry. The

' user then may blow his breath through the openings 32 on the edge surface 45 and the moisture from his breath will contact the grid 20 and the bulb 13 will glow. The user then knows the moisture responsive device is in working order. The user by blowing his breath on the grids 2G may also determine how dry the surrounding air is in the room. If the glow of the bulb diminishes at a rapid rate, the relative humidity of the surrounding air is probably around 10 percent to 20 percent, which is very dry and uncomfortable. If the glow of the bulb 13 linlgers on for a long time, the user knows the relative humidity of the surrounding air is close to 40 percent or ideal.

The rectangular box 23 or bulge vacuum formed in the top plate 12 may be vacuum formed in the shape of any desired advertising device and therefore the moisture indicator 10 may be used by any manufacturer to advertise the desired product. The surface 44 disposed for indicia may be of any desired color to identify fully the product advertised.

With specific reference to FIGURE 14 of the drawings, I show a modification of the method of connecting the wires 36 of the bulb 13 to the current conducting film 26. As hereinabove mentioned, one method is to vacuum form a cavity 28 in the top plate 12 and insert the stem 35 of the rivet 33 in the opening 38 of the cavity 28 and attach the wires 36 to the stem 35 and thus form a good mechanical connection.

Often, before or during assembly of the moisture responsive device 10, the back plate 11 is bent slightly. Later, the backplate 11 may become upright, putting stress on the above mentioned connection. It is desirable therefore as shown in FIGURE 14, to vacuum form the cavity 28 in the backplate 11 and insert the split leg stem 35 of the rivet 33 into the opening 38 of the cavity 28 in the backplate 11, thus permitting the wires 36 of the bulb 13 to engage directly the current conducting film 26. The stem 35 is held in the opening 38 by pressure of the walls of the cavity 28 on the stem 35. Thus, if stress is put on the connection, the stress will help hold the wires 36 against the current conducting film 26 instead of pulling the wires 36 away from the current conducting film 26 as shown in FIGURE 7.

Either method as described hereinabove and as shown in FIGURES 7 or 14 may be used with equal success, depending on the property of the plastic used at the time of assembly of the moisture indicator 10.

The circuitry employed in the moisture indicator 10 is such that alternating current or direct current may be supplied without polarizing the circuitry. When the atzaaza -7 moisture indicator 10 is supplied with alternating current, the ions will change in polarity as the current reverses direction and thus will always be conducted across the spaced areas 46 between the lines 43 and, of course, there is no tendency for the circuitry to become polarized. When direct current is supplied to the moisture indicator 10, the ions would tend to become permanently polarized and not conduct current across the spaced areas 46 between the lines 43. But because of a desirable property of the moisture responsive coating 27, there is leakage of ions across the spaced areas 46, thus overcoming any tendency for the circuitry to become polarized. Whether alternating current or direct current is supplied to the circuitry of the moisture indicator 10, it is still operative.

As mentioned hereinabove, any thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics may be used in the construction of the moisture responsive device 10. 7

Some of the thermoplastic plastics that may be embodied in the invention are polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, polystyrene, methyl methacrylate, polyethylene, and cellulose acetate.

Some of the thermosetting plastics that may be embodied in my invention include unsaturated polyester resins. A typical example of such polyester is a product prepared by the reaction of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid such as maleic, fumaric, itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid, maleic anhydride is also widely used, with a dihydric alcohol such as any polymethylene glycol in the series from ethylene glycol to decamethylene glycol, propylene glycol, any butylene glycol, any polyethylene glycol in the series from diethylene glycol to monoethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, any glycerol monobasic acid monester (in either the alpha or beta position), such as monoformin or monoacetin, any monether or glycerol with a monohydric alcohol, such as monomethylin or monoethylin or any dihydroxy alltane in which the hydroxy radicals are attached to the carbon atoms that are primary or secondary or both, in the series from dihydroxy butane to dihydroxy decane. It is understood that any thermosetting or thermoplastic plastics may be used and the type of plastics mentioned above are only examples.

The moisture responsive device 10 has primarily two functions; to measure the moisture of the surrounding air instantaneously and to promote advertising and selling of any product by the use of a surface disposed for indicia.

Although this invention has been described'in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a hygrometer indicator device for connection to an alternating current energizing source, a gaseous indicator bulb having at least first and second electrodes, first grid Work of conductors comprising first and second spaced interlaced open circuit conductor paths, second grid work of conductors comprising third and fourth spaced interlaced open circuit conductor paths, said first and third conductor paths being energized by said alternating current energizing source, a humidity-sensitive material formed as an adherent film in said grid Work of conductors and comprising a granular, solid detergent, said film being porous and readily soluble in water and having an instantaneous current-time response to changes of moisture in atmosphere, and means connecting said first and second electrodes of said gaseous indicator bulb respectively to said second and fourth conductor paths to give an indication of humidity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,245,221 Hahne Nov. 6, 1917 1,749,826 Lubach Mar. 11, 1930 2,009,760 Brown July 30, 1935 2,140,616 Bronson Dec. 20, 1938 2,377,426 Kersten June 5, 1945 2,449,150 Schnoll Sept. 14, 1948 2,481,728 Dember Sept. 13, 1949 2,663,853 Van Werd Dec. 22, 1953 2,689,479 Feigal Sept. 21, 1954 2,730,683 Ayres Jan. 10, 1956 2,731,609 Sobel Jan. 17, 1956 2,754,378 Ohlheiser July 10, 1956 2,793,526 Dalglish May 28, 1957 2,870,306 Ohlheiser Jan. 20, 1959 2,937,524 Gregor May 24, 1960 3,077,774 McIlvaine Feb. 19, 1963 

